Superintendent of the Navy: Madame, please, do not spread out your underskirts in the smoking-room. They already defy our foredoomed future.Madame La: Please clarify, Superintendent. You were badly understood.The Captain: It is true. Me neither, I did not understand.Superintendent: After all, is this smoking-room not our last refuge against the women, even if they be our wives? I quote you from memory, Governor.The Governor: Ah, but then you will stand me in ill stead with the captain.The Captain: You spoke of underskirts, I believe.Superintendent: Not at all. I was startled by the intrusion of Madame La… there, in the smoking-room. There, nothing more.The Governor: Nothing more?The Captain: In the event of any doubt, I would appreciate your apologies. Here, right away, out loud, so that everyone hears.Superintendent: My pleasure. I present my humble apologies to you, Madame, for what you believed to understand, which I did not wish to express.Madame La: Come, Jean.The Captain: You have just lost face. To lose the rest, it is enough for you to say a word.Madame La: Jean, please.The Captain: No, I would be delighted if you dared. No? Too bad then, maybe another time.Madame La: With pleasure, Messieurs. At last, if I may say so.Madame Superintendent: This man does not even need to fuck us to make cuckolds of our husbands.
― translated by MZ